The Blackhouse

A brutal killing takes place on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland: a land of harsh beauty and inhabitants of deep-rooted faith. Detective Inspector Fin Macleod is sent from Edinburgh to investigate. For Lewis-born Macleod, the case represents a journey both home and into his past. Something lurks within the close-knit island community. Something sinister. As Fin investigates, old skeletons begin to surface and soon, he, the hunter, becomes the hunted.

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Publisher's Summary

A brutal killing takes place on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland: a land of harsh beauty and inhabitants of deep-rooted faith. Detective Inspector Fin Macleod is sent from Edinburgh to investigate. For Lewis-born Macleod, the case represents a journey both home and into his past.

Something lurks within the close-knit island community.

Something sinister.

As Fin investigates, old skeletons begin to surface and soon, he, the hunter, becomes the hunted.

I actually came across the word "unputdownable" while searching my thesaurus for a word to describe this audiobook. Peter May has created a believable cast of characters to take us through a bleak but memorable landscape that is plagued with the baggage of fractured relationships of every kind. Peter Forbes beautiful scottish gives the story authenticity and credibility as he reads it with a confidence that made me think he could have lived it.

Have you listened to any of Peter Forbes’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Any additional comments?

I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 only because this was an abridged version, which I never would slelect if the unabridged was available. I wanted to start with the first book of this series so I got what I could. But this was a very compelling story in which the murder to be solved took back seat to the human drama played out through the main characters. Moving easily from present to past and back again to reveal the complex relationships of 3 childhood friends and a cast of supporting players, I was fully invested in the outcome, which was somewhat unexpected but completely believable. The narration added to the sense of authenticity, with the scottish brogue adding to the atmosphere heavy with rain, fog and memories. Fin Macleod is a protagonist whose past has been tragic, yet you can still sense life and optimism in him. I am moving immediately to the next in the series, The Lewis Man. It is unabridged, so I expect even better story and character development from that one.

This author is a great storyteller and mystery writer. I could not stop listening! I thought the book reminded me a lot of the work of Tana French. Also the reader was terrific. Great accents and kept the story moving.

What made the experience of listening to The Blackhouse the most enjoyable?

This writer paints pictures with his words. I felt as if I was on the Island of Lewis having this experience with Finn. The story twisted and turned giving me lots to think about.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of the characters were interesting, but, of course, it's Finn's story and he's a marvelous character.

Did Peter Forbes do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Peter Forbes did a fairly good job on all the various Scottish accents but it got in the way a bit (for an American listener). It seemed he was caught in making the accents work and didn't do much else to differentiate the voices.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book swept me up. I loved following Finn through his childhood, seeing what life on a small Gaelic island would have been like.

I purchased this book because I am hooked on Scottish detective/crime fiction. Having not previously read anything by Peter May (but I am a fan of Stuart MacBride and Ian Rankin) I took the chance. I'm SO GLAD I did! What a terrific story! The main character goes back to his home town on the Isle of Lewis to solve a murder similar to one he worked in Edinburgh. Long story short, he ends up discovering unknown skeletons in his own closet; turning his life inside out. There is a personal element to this story that makes the ending truly powerful. "The Blackhouse" is much more than the typical detective novel. The author frequently switches back and forth between past and present, but this doesn't take away from the story at all, IMHO. It adds a lot to character development and helps to invest the reader/listener into the lives of the main characters. The narrator, Peter Forbes, is another reason I purchased this book. He has a wonderful voice and can portray characters from all over the UK. His ability to change the pitch and tone of his voice quickly (along with his uncanny ability to mimic different dialects) really makes for an enjoyable listen. Mr. Forbes is one of my favorite readers and I will always seriously consider purchasing any audiobook he narrates.

Rarely do I find an abridged story so well presented. Hoping for more I have downloaded the second in the 3 part series. Using the remote island communities as the scene for the story most certainly contributes to a sustained interest as the plot unfolds.

Where does The Blackhouse rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The reading and the story are outstanding and authentic. The sense of growing danger and the need for Fin MacLeod to solve the crime against all of his inner hesitation is compelling. A great symphony of a tale.

What other book might you compare The Blackhouse to and why?

Far deeper than Lewis and more introspective than Frost.

What does Peter Forbes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Peter Forbes brings a sense of being among the island characters and their mutual need to stay on the island and get away.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened as I drove using my GPS system so it was happily part of my drive.

Any additional comments?

I have been to Lewis as a MacLeod and felt many of the sensations described in the book - the wind, the desolation, the cliffs, the waves, the weather, the religious control (we were asked not to drive on Sunday), the characters and those who wanted to hear about life in Canada, in fact life anywhere else.

The location of the book was what drew me in as I've visited some of the islands of the Hebrides. I loved reading about the island of Lewis and the culture there. The mystery was a great story on top of all that.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not the plot per se, but what I couldn't wait to get in the car and listen to was the weaving of murder and mystery with family, traditions, culture, and a coming of age tale.

What does Peter Forbes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

By providing the voices of the characters, not just their accents but the cadence of their speech, I could "see" the characters much better. I was amazed at the number of accents in which Mr. Forbes read.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The description of the islanders' taking of the guga was completely fascinating and horrifying in and of itself. It was made even more so when told through the eyes of the main character looking back on his first trip.

The Blackhouse is my third book by Peter May, although chronologically I should probably have started with this one.

There are so many more layers to this book than just solving a crime - it goes deep into childhood infatuations, hidden secrets and forgotten/repressed memories of a young mind, of the thin varnish of respectability, of barely recognized motives, of revenge, and adds the harsh nature of the isles as a fitting backdrop.

Although I read the trilogy out of order, I was surprised and fully satisfied with the dramatic ending. Yes, I did shed tears at appropriate intervals.

The language never gets in the way (as it does happen in other books), and once again Peter Forbes' narration is impeccable.

I will most definitely look forward to any upcoming titles by Peter May. This one is a production I will happily return to.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Isobel

ISLE OF ARRAN, United Kingdom

2/15/12

Overall

"brilliant"

again a great book good solid Scottish characters who anyone who lives on an island can relate to

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Katharine

Vielsalm, Belgium

4/13/13

Overall

"An excellent read, excellent narration"

Although a short book, this book is the perfect introduction to the three Lewis books written by Peter May. The narration is first class throughout the series and in this book the characters are nicely put into place, as well as having some glimpses into life as it was in the Outer Hebridees and as it is today.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Frances

St Martin, Jersey

4/11/13

Overall

"Atmospheric"

Some books are better in Audio than others and the medium works wonderfully well for The Blackhouse. The lilting Island tones of Peter Forbes' narration transported me to Orkney and had me completely hooked on this tale. I could almost hear the cries of the gannets wheeling over the rock.

It is the first of Peter May's series which I have listened to on Audible and I will be downloading the others.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

R. Morris

England

3/24/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"great beginning to a detective series"

I liked the idea not having to much to do with detective work in this first book, concentrating more on building the character and delving into his past.a great listen, great story and can't wait to read the next one.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sue McW

UK

8/3/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Perfect for an Audiobook"

Peter Forbes' narration makes this book perfect for listening. The characters come to life. I am new to Peter May's writing but I was so impressed that this is the second of his novels that I have listened to,

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mrs. F. Thomson

Carnoustie, Scotland

8/1/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great story, very well narrated"

What made the experience of listening to The Blackhouse the most enjoyable?

I was recommended these books by a good friend and I have not been disappointed. I am glad I started on the first book, it put so much into context for the second one, the Lewis Man.

What other book might you compare The Blackhouse to, and why?

Faithful Place, by Tana French

Which character – as performed by Peter Forbes – was your favourite?

All of them, he is superb

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Mystery in the wild wild west!

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to see what happens in two and three!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Nikola

Slovenia

3/31/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good thriller in unusual setting"

Set on the Scottish Island of Lewis, the setting is quite unusual. Despite being relatively short read, author manages to squeeze two books into one - detective story of bloody murder, and psychological story about rediscovering your own past and missed opportunities... Both parts being quite good, so I can recommend this one. I will continue with the next part in a trilogy.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

K.A.Thompson

Kinvara, Ireland

9/2/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Disappointing"

Any additional comments?

Well read and well-written, but the tendency for modern detective stories to involve the personal lives of the main investigators becomes increasingly tedious, and this is a prime example of the trend. Shame.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

David

Aspelt, Luxembourg

8/21/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Yes - well read and worth a listen"

If you could sum up The Blackhouse in three words, what would they be?

Keeps you guessing

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Blackhouse?

The description of the "googa" cull - edge of the cliff stuff!

Have you listened to any of Peter Forbes’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

This one kept my interest and is well read. Made me chuckle aloud several times. At end a scrap of paper going in the pocket with actual writing on it unshared with listener makes you guess again on one key point.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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